The 2025 Academy Awards, hosted at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 2, saw the much-anticipated musical film Wicked secure two Oscar wins.
Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the film had been a strong contender with ten nominations, including Best Picture.
The night began with a striking opening performance from Erivo and Grande, who received a standing ovation for their medley of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Home, and Defying Gravity.
Their tribute to The Wizard of Oz legacy set a celebratory tone for the evening.
Wicked won in two categories: Best Production Design and Best Costume Design. Paul Tazewell made history as the first Black male costume designer to win an Oscar.
His intricate designs not only differentiated the personalities of Elphaba and Glinda but also paid homage to classic Wizard of Oz aesthetics with a contemporary flair.
In his acceptance speech, Tazewell expressed gratitude for the honor and acknowledged the film’s creative team.
The Best Production Design award went to Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales for their detailed world-building. Crowley, a multiple-time Oscar nominee for films like The Dark Knight and Interstellar, credited director Jon M. Chu for bringing their vision to life. Sandales echoed the sentiment, thanking the film’s art and construction departments.
Despite strong competition in other categories, including Best Actress and Best Picture, Wicked left a mark with its design achievements.
With its visual success at the Oscars, anticipation is high for the sequel, set to release on November 21, 2025, promising to further expand the magical world of Oz.
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